Whether you’re at home or heading off on a sustainable travel adventure, these eco-friendly toiletries will help you green your daily routine.
When it comes to bathroom essentials, conventional products can have a significant impact on the planet. We’re talking toxic chemicals, plastic packaging, and single-use items like toothbrushes and razors.
Enter: biodegradable and zero waste toiletries that help you scrub up sustainably without mucking up the planet in the process.
Whether you’re transitioning to a zero waste bathroom or looking for some sustainable suitcase swaps in the form of eco-friendly travel toiletries, our list has you covered.
Grab your bamboo toothbrush and shampoo bars, and get ready for a sustainable shower.
Or head down to the bottom to find out how we chose them.
Price Range | $6–$17 | Shop Ethique
Let’s start with the basics—what to clean your face and body with.
For both, we can turn to Ethique, one of our favorite zero waste skincare brands with its range of solid bars for sustainable scrubbing.
The Bliss Bar™ Gentle Solid Face Cleanser removes grime and make-up without any drying effects. Made with wholesome natural ingredients like creamed coconut and kaolin clay, the fragrance-free bar will suit even the most sensitive skin.
For body wash, you’ll find both soap-based bars and soap-free cream bars in various scents and unscented versions.
Freshen up with the Lime & Lemongrass Solid Cream Body Cleanser. The creamy, pH-balanced bar is gentle on dry skin and has a refreshing zingy scent.
Solid bars are ideal zero waste travel toiletries for popping in your sustainable suitcase and they’re TSA-friendly. Ethique’s minis are perfect for traveling lightly (or trying the bars out before buying the large version).
If you’re not a bar fan, Ethique also offers concentrated body wash. Just add water to the powder and then pour the liquid into your own container.
All of Ethique’s plastic-free toiletries are vegan, cruelty-free and palm oil free.
Their equally non-plastic packaging is home compostable, and the Certified B Corp brand plants a tree for every order.
Shop EthiquePrice Range | $59–$196 | Shop Leaf
Investing in a plastic-free reusable razor is one of the best sustainable toiletry swaps you can make. It’s better for the planet and your pocket, and it provides a superior shave.
The Leaf Razor is Leaf’s triple-blade razor, available to purchase individually or as part of a shaving kit. Its pivoting head makes it easy to use, and the lowest blade can be removed for sensitive skin.
Get started with The Leaf Kit, containing The Leaf Razor, a stand, 50 blades, and a recycling tin.
Or go all out with the Leaf Everything Bundle with added accessories, including a case, shaving oil, soap, and a shower holder.
Leaf also offers Single Edge Razors (recommended for face shavers) and plenty of zero-waste shaving accessories to make sustainable shaving a breeze.
This year alone, Leaf is helping to keep 8 million single-use plastic razors out of landfill. They’re carbon neutral certified, offer a blade recycling program, and all packaging is plastic-free.
Shop LeafPrice Range |$14–$25 | Shop BRIXY
Where can you turn for plastic-free ‘poo?
BRIXY’s vegan and Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free and zero waste shampoo bars get our vote.
They are committed to making safe products, free from harmful chemicals, so you can lather up with peace of mind.
You won’t find any palm oil, parabens, phthalates, silicones, sulfates, synthetic scents, or colorants. Instead, each shampoo bar contains an array of wholesome, nourishing ingredients, including coconut oil, argan oil, and provitamin B.
Choose between three scents: Citrus, Coconut Vanilla, and Mint Eucalyptus, that are suitable for all hair types. Each shampoo bar comes packaged in a compostable, FSC-certified cardboard box.
BRIXY’s conditioner bars are made with cacao butter and coconut oil to promote sustainably soft, shiny hair and are available in the same scents. You can save money by purchasing both together as a Hair Care Duo.
BRIXY gives back to several organizations, including Environmental Working Group, (EWG), Breast Cancer Fund, Elephant Sanctuary, and Save The Whales. They’ve also created their own environmental non-profit, ECOEVO, to which they donate 1% of profits.
Shop BRIXYPrice Range | $14 | Shop Meow Meow Tweet
Looking for sustainable toiletries that don’t stink?
No sweat!
Meow Meow Tweet’s deodorant sticks tick all of our sustainability boxes. They’re plastic-free, palm oil-free, cruelty free, vegan, and made with natural, non-toxic ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter.
Some contain baking soda, but there are plenty of baking soda-free options for those with sensitive pits who need to avoid it.
Scents are courtesy of essential oils. Choose between Lavender Bergamot and Eucalyptus Lemon (our favorite) for the deodorant sticks with baking soda. The baking soda-free sticks come in Cedar Spruce, Grapefruit, and Rose Geranium.
MMT also offers a Deodorant Cream made from natural ingredients like arrowroot powder and coconut oil. It’s available in five scents (three are baking soda-free) and an unscented version. Originally packaged in reusable glass jars, they are transitioning over to metal.
The fully vegan Certified B Corp handmakes its products in small batches using ingredients that are mostly certified organic. Some, including the cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil, are Fair Trade certified.
Shop Meow Meow TweetPrice Range | $6–$36 | Shop Elate Cosmetics
Elate Cosmetics has all our conscious makeup needs covered with its range of bronzer, cream concealer, eye color, eye pencils, highlighter, foundation, lip balms, lip pencils, mascara, powders, vegan makeup brushes, and more.
Those like their Organic Crème Concealer come packaged in compostable refill palettes that integrate into your existing Elate bamboo compacts.
All of the Canadian company’s products are certified vegan and cruelty-free, and Elate prioritizes organic and fair trade ingredients. Their mica is sourced from suppliers that are members of the Responsible Mica Initiative, and their palm oil is RSPO-certified.
For sustainable packaging, you’ll find bamboo compacts with refills packaged in plantable seed paper and glass pots with bamboo lids.
Elate is a Certified B Corp, offsets its emissions, donates 2% of profits to environmental and social causes, and plants a tree for every order.
Shop Elate CosmeticsPrice Range | $6–$44 | Shop Fat and the Moon
Keep skin happy and hydrated with a nourishing, natural, organic moisturizer from one of our favorite sustainable beauty brands, Fat and the Moon.
The All Cream Face and Body Lotion is a lightweight, creamy moisturizer made with six simple, natural ingredients: sunflower oil, shea butter, aloe vera, rosewater, beeswax, and elderberry extract. Use day or night for soft, hydrated skin – a little goes a long way.
All of Fat and the Moon’s handmade natural toiletries are natural, non-toxic, cruelty-free, and palm oil free. Some, like the All Cream, contain beeswax but you’ll find vegan-friendly options, too.
Plastic-free packaging includes glass jars with metal lids, aluminum tins, cardboard shakers, and compostable pouches.
The woman-owned and community-minded brand is pursuing B Corp certification and gives back via charity donations to organizations working for social good.
Shop Fat and the MoonPrice Range | $3–$24 | Shop ATTITUDE
We all know that sunscreen is important for our skin health, but most standard sunscreen has a dirty secret. They’re damaging coral reefs with their ingredient lists – specifically, oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor.
Luckily, you don’t have to forgo your suncream for the sake of the coral with reef-safe products like those from Canadian brand ATTITUDE.
They’re also protecting animals with their PETA cruelty-free certification, and all of their sunscreens are vegan and EWG VERIFIED™.
While not all of their eco toiletries are plastic-free, they offer several mineral sunscreens packaged in FSC-certified, biodegradable cardboard tubes.
These include a Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick, a Baby & Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick, and sunscreens specially formulated for sensitive skin. All are SPF 30 and contain nourishing natural ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter. Sun protection is thanks to non-nano zinc oxide.
For the after (sun) party, their Mint & Cucumber After-sun Stick helps soothe skin with calming calendula, chamomile, and cucumber extracts.
A tree is planted for every order via Eden Reforestation and One Tree Planted.
Shop ATTITUDEPrice Range | $17–$100 | Shop Sustainable Tomorrow or Shop SuperBee
With its multiple components and batteries, an electric toothbrush comes second to a manual one in terms of sustainability.
If you do need one, however, we’d recommend Sustainable Tomorrow’s Zen Bamboo Electric Toothbrush.
It comes with a year’s supply of biodegradable toothbrush heads made from bamboo and castor bean oil bristles. You can throw them in your compost, where they’ll take around six months to break down.
The battery lasts up to a month between charges, and the brush features five cleaning modes, three speeds, and a two-minute timer.
For a different kind of buzz, SuperBee is one of our favorite zero waste companies for plastic-free swaps, like beeswax wraps, reusable paper towels, reusable facial rounds, and bamboo toothbrushes.
They offer a pack of five biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes. The colorful handles (perfect for families) are 100% compostable, but not the bristles, which will need to be removed before composting.
Superbee also offers an Oral Care Travel Kit containing a bamboo toothbrush, toothbrush tabs, biodegradable dental floss, and a beeswax bag so you can always have biodegradable hotel toiletries on hand when traveling.
Shop Sustainable Tomorrow Shop SuperBeePrice Range | $10–$84 | Shop Huppy
Now that you’ve sorted your toothbrush, it’s time to up your eco-friendly toiletries game with toothpaste tablets.
Huppy keeps our pearly whites happy with its plastic-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and non-GMO tablets.
They’re also fluoride-free and instead contain N-HA (nano-hydroxyapatite) to help prevent decay alongside natural ingredients like coconut oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and aloe vera.
However, don’t think no nasties means no foam. Of all the natural toothpastes we’ve tried, we’re so impressed with how foamy these unassuming little tablets get.
All flavors—Peppermint, Watermelon Strawberry, and Charcoal Mint—come with a refillable and recyclable metal tin, and refills come in compostable pouches. Purchase them as a one-off or save 25% by signing up for a subscription.
With responsibly sourced ingredients, sustainable packaging, and a 2% revenue giving model, Huppy gives us plenty to smile about.
Shop HuppyPrice Range | £5–£7 | Shop Georganics
Toothbrush check. Toothpaste check. What about the floss?
Conventional floss is made from nylon or Teflon, and up until recently, the natural alternative was made of silk (and therefore not vegan).
Fortunately, Georganics offers dental floss that is both zero waste and vegan. It’s made from compostable corn-based PLA that’s coated with vegetable wax and peppermint, orange, or spearmint essential oil, depending on the flavor.
The Charcoal version combines charcoal fibers with the PLA and uses antibacterial peppermint oil. All flavors come packaged in a refillable glass dispenser with a metal lid. The outer packaging is a compostable cardboard box.
Refills come packaged in a NatureFlex compostable bag and outer cardboard box.
As well as helping clean your pearly whites, they are also helping clean up the environment with their Zero To Landfill scheme, which allows customers to send back used toothbrush heads for recycling.
Shop GeorganicsPrice Range | $15 | Shop by Humankind
Ah, hand sanitizer. Even if it was a stranger to your handbag pre-2020, chances are it’s made itself at home there.
But where can you find planet-friendly products for on-the-go sanitizing?
by Humankind keeps it clean and germ-free with zero waste toiletries like hand sanitizer packaged in refillable and recyclable aluminum bottles.
It’s available as a set of three pocket-sized aluminum bottles (Unscented, Grapefruit, and Eucalyptus) that come with one lockable, reusable plastic pump cap that transfers between the bottles.
It’s made from just four ingredients: ethyl alcohol (65%), water, essential oil (or witch hazel for the Unscented version), and hyaluronic acid, added to keep skin moisturized.
by Humankind is on a mission to reduce single-use plastic with its range of refillable products available on a subscription basis as well as a one-time buy. The carbon neutral company has partnered with Pachama to offset its carbon emissions.
Shop by HumankindPrice Range | £8 | Shop Battle Green
Zero waste traveling toiletries need a way to get from A to B.
Skip the plastic and opt for an eco-friendly toiletries bag made from natural materials like Battle Green’s Organic Cotton Wash Bag. It’s made from GOTS-certified cotton canvas with an organic cotton lining and is the perfect size for popping in a weekend bag.
We love the simple fold-over opening and it makes cute storage for zero-waste home toiletries, too.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly toiletries gift set, Battle Green has several to choose from, including the Natural Cosmetics Gift Set that comes complete with soap, lip balm, natural deodorant, natural dry shampoo, and their organic cotton wash bag.
Battle Green is one of our favorite UK brands for zero-waste skincare. All of their small-batch products are vegan and cruelty-free, and all of their packaging is plastic-free.
They offset shipping emissions, plant a tree for every order, and support the work of Surfers Against Sewage.
Shop Battle GreenPrice Range | $29–$49 | Shop Saalt
A reusable menstrual cup is an ideal zero-waste period product, and it makes a great travel companion – no more stuffing your bag with tampons or pads. You’ll also be helping to cut down on the vast amounts of plastic waste created by conventional products.
Made in the US from medical-grade silicone, Saalt’s menstrual cups come in three sizes and can last up to ten years!
If a menstrual cup isn’t for you, check out Saalt’s range of period underwear, available in several colors and designs.
Big on giving back, the Certified B Corp brand donates 2% of revenue and period care products to programs focused on menstrual health, empowerment, and education. Charity partners include HER International.
Shop SaaltSo, how did we find the best eco-friendly toiletries?
We used our sustainability criteria as follows.
Certifications:
B Corporation (B Corp), Carbon Neutral, EWG VERIFIED™, Fair Trade Certified, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Cruelty Free International (Leaping Bunny or Choose Cruelty Free), Vegan Society, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
Ingredients:
We looked for natural toiletries made from non-toxic, clean, and safe ingredients. Many of the brands on this list prioritize organic ingredients and are committed to responsible sourcing. If palm oil is used, it needs to be sustainably and ethically sourced (e.g., RSPO-certified).
Values:
The best eco-friendly toiletries are vegan, cruelty-free, and made by brands that put people and the planet first.
Packaging:
Sustainable packaging means saying goodbye to plastic bottles and opting instead for non-plastic packaging that is refillable, re-usable, compostable, and/or recyclable.
The most sustainable packaging is no packaging, and that’s why shampoo and conditioner bars are some of the best plastic free toiletries. Pop them in reusable tins and you have eco-friendly travel containers that are also TSA-friendly.
Ethical Sourcing:
Full traceability is an important first step for responsible sourcing. We looked for brands that care about how ingredients are grown/harvested and that work within fair trade guidelines.
Many of the sustainable toiletries on our list contain ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter, which should ideally have a Fair Trade certification.
Carbon:
The most planet-friendly products are made by brands that take steps to reduce their carbon footprint through small-batch production, carbon offsetting, and using renewable energy.
Paying It Forward:
Supporting big-hearted brands that give back by donating funds and products to worthy causes means we can feel extra good after taking that sustainable shower.
Choosing sustainable hygiene products is a great way to reduce your ecological footprint on a daily basis and help curb the growing amount of plastic waste.
The brands on our list help to say goodbye to plastic bottles and toxic chemicals and hello to natural ingredients and plastic-free packaging.
Plus, a waterless zero waste toiletries recipe (like solid shampoo) make for some of the best eco-friendly travel products and eco-friendly hotel toiletries alternatives, helping you thread a little lighter wherever your next adventure takes you—not to mention make your trip through TSA with a carry-on simpler.
Know someone on a mission to green their daily routine?
Help them find some pro-planet pampering by sharing this list of eco-essentials.
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